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Shaun Derry believes Paul Lewis is a great long-term prospect for Cambridge United following his arrival on a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 22-year-old midfielder moved to United from Vanarama National League outfit Macclesfield, where he was joint longest-serving player, last Friday

Lewis will have to wait for his debut after being an unused substitute for Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Blackpool in Sky Bet League Two.

But Derry said it was not just about the here and now with Lewis, who came through the Silkmen’s youth programme.

He said: “We’ve brought Paul in to be an attacking midfielder.

“He’s 6ft 2in, got great ability, energy, he can put a tackle in, he can pass – he’s more of an all-round midfielder.

“That’s something that I think League Two demands.

“It needs energy and he’s definitely bringing energy, and he’s got goals in him as well.

“He’s young and he’s one that’s going to go forward with the group.

“He’s not just one for this window or one that’s absolutely going to make us a championship or promotion-winning football club – he’s a young player still learning his trade.”

But Derry said it was part of his strategy to begin adding players to the United squad on longer contracts, with Jake Carroll having also signed a two-and-half year deal last Thursday following his switch from Hartlepool.

He said: “What I don’t want to do is end each window or each end of the season having to replace eight or nine players.

“This (long-term deals) enables us not to do that.

“I trust the players we’re bringing in and I trust the likes of Jake and Paul are going to be here for the duration.

“We don’t want to be swapping and changing the players after a year’s time, that’s not the intention.”